BREAKING: Chicago Cubs right fielder Kyle Tucker has been battling a hairline fracture in his right hand since June, sources confirmed to ESPN. Despite his injury, Tucker continued to play for the Cubs, who were in first place at the time, achieving a remarkable .982 OPS in June.
However, his performance has sharply declined since early July, prompting the Cubs to give him several days off this week for recovery. Tucker, 28, sustained the injury on June 1 while sliding into second base against the Cincinnati Reds. Initial X-rays showed a negative result, leading the team to believe it was simply a jammed finger. Further imaging, however, revealed a slight fracture near where his pinkie and ring finger meet.
As of this week, Tucker’s batting average has plummeted to .189, with only four extra-base hits since July. Alarmingly, his ground-ball rate has surged to an astonishing 54 percent this month. Cubs manager Craig Counsell indicated Tucker would take a few days off to reset after going 0-for-4 on Monday. He is expected to return during the team’s upcoming west coast trip.
Cubs president of baseball operations Jed Hoyer acknowledged the impact of the injury on Tucker’s performance, stating, “There’s no question that when you look at his numbers, it’s had an impact on him, for sure.” This sentiment was echoed by Brewers manager Pat Murphy, who remarked on a Cubs radio station, “I think Tucker’s hurt. I don’t have any information, but Tucker’s not the same.”
Despite the setback, Tucker has consistently brushed off questions regarding his injury, stating, “I’m fine. I’ve played, for the most part, every game this year. I’m fine going out there.” Earlier in the season, he was on fire, boasting an OPS of .931 and stealing 20 bases in the first three months. He was even named to his fourth All-Star Game, starting the midsummer classic for the first time in his eight-year career.
Hand injuries can be particularly troublesome for players, often leading to swing issues and inconsistent performance. Tucker’s former teammate, Yordan Alvarez, has been sidelined since May with a similar injury. Despite having played with the fracture for nearly two months, the Cubs are optimistic that the time off will help Tucker regain his form for the critical stretch run of the season.
“We’ll go from there,” Counsell added regarding Tucker’s recovery plan. The Cubs are focused on ensuring their star player is fit and ready as they head into a pivotal part of the season. Fans and teammates alike are hopeful that this break will enable Tucker to make a strong comeback and contribute to the team’s playoff aspirations.
